From small beginnings, Hospice Mid Canterbury began as a community initiative in 2014, with the aim of providing free non-clinical support for people with a life-limiting illness and their families. Drawing on the capability of those already in the community, we established services such as counselling and therapies, and developed a strong volunteer base for such things as biography writing, sitting and transport.
As demand and services grew, Hospice opened an office at Community House in 2016 and a hospice shop was established in July 2017 in Tancred Street to help provide sustainable funding for the organisation. Further demand for services led to Hospice establishing a base at St Stephens on Park Street in 2019.
In 2021, a “Home for Hospice” fundraising campaign culminated in the purchase of 70 Havelock Street, Ashburton (formerly the Sealy Street Medical Centre), as a community owned asset. This enabled the organisation to finally settle into its own home.
Today Hospice Mid Canterbury offers a growing range of supports, for the person with the life-limiting illness and their caregivers. These supports include counselling and a variety of therapies, services and activities such as exercise therapy, art and craft and social events. This support is available free to people throughout the Ashburton district, and is provided in people’s own homes or at the hospice base.

Hospice Mid Canterbury is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our clients and their families, ensuring that those we support are being given the opportunity to ‘live every moment’.

Jane Wright

Paul Gooby